Most parents would agree that they're grateful they're not growing up in today's teenage culture. Our teens are faced with information overload, shallow relationships, pressure from social media and so much more — and they desperately need your wisdom as a parent. In this episode, Mark Gregston explains why today's culture can have such a negative impact on relationships and how you can combat it, and recommends reading "Engaging Your Teen's World," a book by David Eaton and Jeremiah Callihan. F...
Mar 15, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 713
While there is ALWAYS hope for struggling teens, they'll inevitably hit some bumps in the road while finding their way again. What matters is how they recover from stumbling. In this week's interview with Heartlight residents, one young lady shares with Mark Gregston how she fell back into old habits when she went home to visit her family and is now working on getting back on track. Don't miss today's teen stories! Have you gotten your copy of Mark's newest book, "Daily Hope For Families," yet? ...
Mar 14, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 712
Whether it's intentional or not, teens can sometimes be quite hurtful toward their parents. When your teen has hurt you, do you carry that resentment with you? Or do you show them the power of forgiveness? In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it's important to model forgiveness for your children because it will impact how they interact with their own families later on in life. Listen in for this great topic! No matter where you're at in your parenting walk, we have resou...
Mar 13, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 711
In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the question of the week, which comes from a parent who is trying to get their teen to go to therapy. If help is viewed as a sign of weakness, many won’t reach out for it. Tune in to hear Mark’s advice! Do you have a question for Mark? Check out https://markgregston.com/ For more information on the Heartlight residential program, visit heartlightministries.org Our Sponsors: * Check out Stride K12: https://K12.com/TEENS Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcirc...
Mar 10, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 710
In a culture where anxiety is high and teens crave connection, marijuana can seem like the perfect solution. If “everyone is doing it,” why would your teen want to be the exception? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the effects of weed being normalized, as well as the importance of teaching your kids to combat mental and social issues head on. Listen now! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: https://markgregston.com/ For a daily dose of parenting encouragement, ch...
Mar 09, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 709
In the chaos of today's world, our teens are desperately looking for someone to truly listen to them. Mom or Dad, is that person you? Or do you often find yourself dismissing what your child says? In today's show, Mark Gregston shares his thoughts on the power of participatory listening and how it can deeply improve your relationship with your teen. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode! For more practical strategies to better connect with your teen, read Mark's book, "Tough Guys and Drama Q...
Mar 08, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 708
When kids get adopted, it's definitely not always a smooth transition — it's a massive adjustment for the entire family. In this episode, Mark Gregston sits down to chat with a couple of Heartlight teens, including a 16-year-old girl who was adopted, along with her younger sister, only a few years ago. While her adoption story looked perfect on the outside, she struggled to adjust because of years of trauma. Tune in to hear this powerful story! For further insights on how to create a healthy hom...
Mar 07, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 707
Disrespect has an extremely potent way of ruining relationships. If you have a disrespectful teen in your home, the situation needs to be dealt with — and quickly. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about how to approach a child that has a disrespect issue, why you should be conscious of any role you might play in it and much more. Tune in for this important discussion! Have you checked out the Parenting Today's Teens online store yet? Visit resources.parentingtodaysteens.org...
Mar 06, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 706
In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers the question of the week, which comes from the parent of a teen who smokes weed daily. Should parents focus their energy on demanding change or on maintaining a connection with their child? There are two routes, but only one path will lead your teen to change. Don’t miss this advice, tune in now! For more insights on how to develop a close relationship with your teen without sacrificing boundaries, check out Mark's article, "Balanced Parenting," at paren...
Mar 03, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 705
There’s no way around it — life is hard and none of us can avoid the pain and suffering of the human experience. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of facing brokenness head on, the utility of affliction in the process of growth and ultimately, the necessity of vulnerability in developing a deeper relationship with your teen. Listen now! For a daily dose of parenting encouragement, check out Mark's latest devotional, "Daily Hope For Families," at dailyhop...
Mar 02, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 704
Teens and young adults are like sponges, but, unfortunately, they often soak up more negativity than positivity. That's why it's crucial that you speak encouragement and truth into their lives — it could very well shape how they view the world! In today's devotional, Mark Gregston recounts the mentors that had a positive impact on his life and shares how you can do the same for your kids or grandkids. For an in-depth look at this topic, check out the "Leaving a Legacy of Hope" Curriculum Series ...
Mar 01, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 703
Depression in teens can often be caused by traumatic events or circumstances early in life that they couldn't fully process at the time. When they begin to struggle with their mental health, they often don't know where to turn, and a spiral ensues. In today's episode, Mark Gregston speaks to two Heartlight teens who battle depression for very different reasons but are both on the pathway toward healing. Listen in for these powerful interviews! Want to know if Heartlight is the right choice for y...
Feb 28, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 702
Parents often get too focused on "winning," whether that's ending an argument or checking all of the parenting boxes they feel they're supposed to, and lose the relationship with their child in the process. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why you should never sacrifice your relationship with your teen for things that'll matter less in the long run. Don't miss this great topic! For more successful strategies to build a strong relationship with your child, check out "Toug...
Feb 27, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 701
How should parents approach their teens’ inevitable interest in the opposite sex, and ultimately romantic relationships? With the proper guidance and support, they can mature in the midst of developing this new and intimidating social intelligence. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston gives his advice on age appropriate dating boundaries with the end goal of teens being able to understand what they’re looking for in their future spouse. Don’t miss out on this helpful insight! For more on how to dev...
Feb 24, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 700
The danger of creating and selling a perfect narrative to the world is that it becomes nearly impossible to communicate your problems to anyone. This dark path leads to hopelessness and isolation. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the imperfections of both parent and child, and the importance of transparency, humility and community. Listen now! For more info on how to adapt your parenting to be effective in today's culture, check out Mark's book "Tough Guys and Drama Q...
Feb 23, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 699
When teens feel judged by their parents, they'll quickly put up walls in the relationship and not receive any of the insight or instruction you're trying to share. So, how do you keep the relationship intact when your child is doing something you might disagree with? In this episode, Mark Gregston shares stories about judgment from his own life and why it's so important to take a non-critical stance when engaging with teens. To learn more about how to shift your parental strategy, check out Mark...
Feb 22, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 698
Have you ever gotten in an argument with your teen and they've threatened to run away? It's usually an empty threat, but some teens feel it's the only way to escape their problems or conflicts. In today's episode, Mark Gregston sits down with two young ladies from Heartlight, both of whom attempted to run away or sneak out of their homes. Tune in to hear how they're working through their struggles! For more information on the Heartlight residential program, visit heartlightministries.org Our Spo...
Feb 21, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 697
Grandparents can have a powerful, unique role in the lives of their teen grandkids — IF they choose to actively pursue the relationship. You may have to shift the way you're involved in your grandchildren's lives if you want to stay connected! In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how grandparents can be a positive influence in their families and share some ways you can build strong relationships with the teens in your life. Our Grandparenting Bundle is packed with wisdom, in...
Feb 20, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 696
Family and friends can bring so much encouragement, comfort and joy. However, they can also bring discouragement, contradiction and stress. What should you do when someone in your support system isn’t being … supportive? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers a question about how to deal with an aunt that offers her home as a “Get Out of Jail Free” card. Listen now! If you have your own question for Mark, send it in at markgregston.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Stride K12: https://K12.com/TEE...
Feb 17, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 695
When teens mess up, their first response will likely be to protect themselves from consequences. If you’re bent on justice ... you just might miss their cry for help. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how lying is often a smoke screen for bigger issues ranging from a fear of judgment to feelings of inadequacy. Don’t miss this important topic. Tune in now! To learn more about the Heartlight boarding school, visit heartlightministries.org Our Sponsors: * Check out Stride K1...
Feb 16, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 694
A grandparent's home can be a warm, almost magical place where a teen can find rest from the stresses of life ... or, it can be a place where kids are worried about being judged or making a mess. What kind of home do YOU have? In today's devotional, Mark Gregston shares personal reflections about how he learned to make his home a comfortable place for his grandchildren and how you can do the same for yours. This episode is packed with wisdom, so don't miss out! For more on how to better engage w...
Feb 15, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 693
Do you long for a closer relationship with your teen? Closeness can be blocked by many factors, including busyness, lack of communication or even how discipline is implemented. In this week's interview with Heartlight teens, Mark Gregston talks to two high schoolers who had difficulty connecting and opening up to their parents — which caused a lot of strife in their homes. Tune in to hear their stories! For more insights on how to have a close relationship with your child without sacrificing bou...
Feb 14, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 692
Whether it's the loss of a grandparent, a broken relationship or the tragic death of a friend, loss can hit teens really hard. And if they aren't allowed or able to process their grief, it can continue to impact them years down the line. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share several ways you can support your child through grief and teach them that expressing their emotions is okay. Listen in for this incredibly important topic! Mark's book, "Where's Stitch?" is a wonderful reso...
Feb 13, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 691
In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the question of the week, which comes from a parent who is trying to get their teenage daughter to recognize why her behavior is a problem. Kids don't always know the WHY behind their actions, so sometimes they need a little help. Tune in to hear Mark's answer! If you have your own question for Mark, send it in at markgregston.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Stride K12: https://K12.com/TEENS Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Feb 10, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 690
Have you ever started to feel like a failure as a parent? When those worries start to pop up, it's easy to get overwhelmed — but don't be too hard on yourself! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why some parents feel like they're failing and how to restructure those thoughts, along with why your teen's poor choices aren't a reflection on you. Don't miss this topic! For more info on shifting your parenting to be effective in today's culture, check out Mark's book "Tough Guy...
Feb 09, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 689
The phrase, "Actions speak louder than words," may feel like a cliché, but when it comes to preparing teens for adulthood, it has never been more true. For teens to really learn how to make wise choices and engage well with others, you must show them firsthand. In today's episode, Mark Gregston shares his insights on why it's so important for parents to live out their values in actions, not just in words. Tune in to hear his thoughts! For more on this important topic, check out Mark's article, "...
Feb 08, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 688
Teens who've walked through trauma at a young age respond in a variety of ways, but often, they'll create a tough, prickly outer persona to keep themselves from ever being hurt again. It takes patience to find it, but there's still a soft heart in there somewhere! In today's episode, Mark Gregston interviews more Heartlight teens, including a young lady who was abandoned on the streets of Mexico when she was just a toddler and is still working through the trauma as a teen. Tune in to hear her st...
Feb 07, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 687
As busy and activity-packed as most of our lives are, you may find that the best opportunities to connect with your teen pop up in the most mundane of moments. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why you should keep an eye out for quiet opportunities to connect with your child and lay the groundwork for bigger conversations later on. Listen in now! Have you heard about our "Leaving a Legacy of Hope" curriculum yet? It's perfect for a grandparent who wants to truly connect w...
Feb 06, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 686
In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a mom who just found out her daughter — who's usually a great student — smokes pot and abuses Adderall. Listen in for Mark's advice and recommendations! Want to ask a question about your own teen? Send it to Mark at markgregston.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Stride K12: https://K12.com/TEENS Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Feb 03, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 685
If you're a parent to a teenage boy, you probably know that they're prone to taking some questionable risks, and oftentimes their need to prove themselves can get them in trouble. But underneath the bravado, they long to have a relationship with you. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about how you can connect with your teen son and help train him to be an independent man of great character. If you're a parent of a boy, don't miss this discussion! For more successful strat...
Feb 02, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 684
